upgrade RTi8 to RTia9?

Tungx2
Tungx2 Posts: 58
edited January 2012 in Speakers
I have CSi A6 and 4x RTi8. I got a SVS PB12 - Plus/2 and it's great. It's all powered by Emotiva XPA-5 200w/channel

Now... should I upgrade to RTi a9 for my fronts?

I've modded the RTi8 fronts and I got the parts to mod the RTi8 surrounds.

Ultimately, I want RTi a9 fronts and RTi a7 as surround, then RTi a3 for rear surrounds. But that's a lot of money and I don't know if it's worth it.

So my question is how much of an upgrade from RTi8 to RTi a9 since I got a pretty good sub?

My listen area isn't very big. It's about 2400 cubic feet.

Also, I can't find a good deal on RTi a9. The cheapest I found was 549 each on newegg every weekend.

Should I wait until I want to replace all speakers and try the LSi line? Or even a different brand?
TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
Post edited by Tungx2 on
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Comments

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited October 2011
    My favorite in the RTI series is the A9. There is, IMO, no comparison between those and the entry Rti-8. Personally, I don't like the brightness of the 8s and I would not bother to upgrade them...I'd go directly to the A9s. The absolute best in that series. But, they really shine on 'music'. HT is not what will show off your speakers the way two channel does because the sub does so much there and the surround sound fills everything else in.

    You'll be very 'happy' with that upgrade!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited October 2011
    I think it is interesting that you feel the RTIA9 is the best in the series when it is also the only one in the series that uses a Poly capacitor on the tweeter network and everything else uses a Lytic..

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - I bet there is something to that one :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,336
    edited October 2011
    I also agree that the A9's are the best in the series. I would take the A5's as a close second with a good sub..

    Just my opinon...
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited October 2011
    Do you guys think the 9 is less bright than the other RT series?

    If so this will just confirm my thoughts - the A9/i12 ships from the factory with a Poly cap in the tweeter network... :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited October 2011
    If it's for HT only I'd keep what you got.
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited October 2011
    Ya, I'll be using it mainly for HT. It's just the odd occasion when I have a friend over and we can listen to music or podcast while we do chores... Serious chores like cleaning dishes, cooking etc...

    I should probably wait until the RTi aX line is being discontinued, so i can get them cheap for the looks. The RTi12 are just over half the price of RTi a9 on ebay though!
    TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
    A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
    Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
    BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
    Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
    Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
    Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
    Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
    Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
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  • selkec
    selkec Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    Keep your eyes out on frys.com. I got my a9's in cherry for 399 each. And they threw in a free psw111 sub.
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited October 2011
    Every now and then polk throws in a free sub when you purchase $499 or more in speakers.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited October 2011
    Tungx2 wrote: »
    I should probably wait until the RTi aX line is being discontinued, so i can get them cheap for the looks. The RTi12 are just over half the price of RTi a9 on ebay though!

    But then wouldn't the question be wich is better RTI A9's or the new replacement? There is always going to be some thing new coming out and you can spend for ever waiting for the next great thing.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited October 2011
    I replaced my Rti8s with Rti12s (only because I found them for $300 on CL). The sound is fuller, more spacious. I run them full range. Go for it if the price is right.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,060
    edited October 2011
    To the OP, are the mods difficult to do and what benefits have you noticed?
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited January 2012
    sorry, for the late reply.

    The mod for the RTi8 is incredible. MUCH MUCH fuller and detailed!

    Having that said, I've upgraded to RTia9 :) I have yet to mod my a9s... but let me tell you, the modded Rti8s are much better than factory a9s. Modded Rti8s are much much more detailed, clean, precise and no sign of any fatigue from brightness. New Rtia9 has ear bleeding sound when I'm accustomed to modded speakers. So I can only imagine how modded Rtia9s will sound like.

    Oh, I modded my speakers with soniccaps and mills resistor.

    Now that I got rid of all my Rti8s... I'm patiently waiting for the caps to go on sale again to make another big upgrade purchase!
    TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
    A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
    Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
    BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
    Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
    Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
    Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
    Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
    Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited January 2012
    The A9's also need at least 100 hours to break in, my 12's softened up a lot after that and the brightness went away.
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